In a radical move, the Renault Meganes have been provided by sponsors whose logos will figure on the paintwork.

The cars will be used by community beat officers and special constables based in Altrincham.

They are being provided for a year by EuroCar Contracts, based in the town, and paid for by the South Trafford Crime Prevention Panel and local vehicle tracking firm NavTrak.

EuroCar managing director Matthew Cragg said: ''The work that these officers do within the community of South Trafford is vital and we as a local company like to think of ourselves as being socially responsible and are glad to do our bit.''

Bob Maley, chairman of the South Trafford CPP, explained: ''This was an ideal opportunity for us to put even more back into the community and we are glad to provide the financial backing for one of the cars.''

Jerry Healy, NavTrak's head of marketing, said: ''The South Trafford Crime Reduction Advisor, Pc Tony Crompton, approached us to sponsor a car for the local officers and we were more than happy to assist.''

Pc Ivan Hewitt said: ''I will be one of the officers who will benefit directly by the sponsorship of these vehicles. They will give us far more flexibility in the range of duties we can perform and the areas we can cover.''